Scotland three days from World Cup return against Haiti

Three days to Haiti – your World Cup wait is almost over

Scotland walk out at Gillette Stadium on Sunday for their first World Cup match in 28 years (2) (3). Kick-off is 02:00 BST. Haiti stand between Steve Clarke's side and a dream start in Group C.

The squad are already in North Carolina, settled and sharp after two friendly wins that produced eight goals. Lawrence Shankland has talked up a "club feel" within the camp, and you can hear it in every interview coming out of the States. This group believes.

Christie: Euro 2024 pain driving World Cup push

Ryan Christie says the squad are still hurting from a flat end to Euro 2024 and are using that as fuel. "We've got a chip on our shoulder," he told the BBC, adding that making history is the only thing on their minds (6).

Scotland have never made it out of a World Cup group. This group wants to be the first.

What history says about Scotland's first game

Scotland have opened seven of their eight World Cup campaigns with a draw or a defeat. The only win came in 1986 (2).

Haiti are dangerous. Wilson Isidor and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde are names to watch (3). But this is not a vintage Scotland side weighed down by the past. Clarke has a cohesive unit, Shankland is in the form of his life after 16 goals in 29 Premiership appearances for Hearts, and the draw opens up beyond the group – a potential knockout route featuring France or even England.

Rooney: I couldn't believe United let McTominay go

Wayne Rooney has admitted he was stunned Manchester United sold Scott McTominay. Speaking alongside Christie, Rooney praised McTominay's character and said he is exactly the type of player you want beside you in a World Cup campaign (5).

Christie echoed the sentiment. McTominay's presence in the Scotland midfield will be vital on Sunday.

Goalkeeper call still in the air

Clarke has yet to confirm who starts in goal against Haiti. Craig Gordon, Angus Gunn, and Liam Kelly are the three options (7).

Gordon brings 80-plus caps of experience. Gunn was first choice through qualifying. It is the one selection battle that still feels genuinely open.

Fan reactions

Scotland fans online are bouncing between nerves and pure excitement. The 28-year wait, the goals in the friendlies, Shankland's form – it is all feeding a rare sense of optimism. Plenty are already looking at the knockout bracket and daring to dream. BBC Sport has the full build-up.